Document Type

Conference Paper

Publication Date

6-2010

Subject Area

Location - Europe, Population - Ageing of the Population, Infrastructure - Low Floor, Infrastructure - Bus Stop, Mobility - Wheelchair, Mobility - Disabled, Transport accessibility - Access to vehicles, Modes of Transport - Bus

Abstract

Accessibility of public transport is often conceived as the possibility to enter and leave a vehicle without meeting with obstacles of any kind. It had led to the general introduction of low floor vehicles. Public transport stops are being reconstructed in order to minimize the horizontal and vertical gaps between vehicle and platform. There are formal demands on the interior of vehicles as well. In Western Europe these are EU standards for wheelchair accommodation, for chairs reserved for the disabled etc However, the location of the required facilities is often such that their function is impeded. We observed several of these design failures during numerous vehicle inspections. These are presented. Guidelines for interior design were developed in an interactive process with representatives of public authorities, transport providers, clients and experts. These were founded on an analysis of the inherent accessibility problems and qualities of different types of vehicle. Design proposals were developed following the series of actions to be taken by a passenger from boarding to leaving the vehicle. The result was published in a Dutch series on accessibility of collective transport.

Rights

Permission to publish the abstract given by TRANSED 2010, copyright remains with them.